"Did you say something?" Hanes asked as he couldn't hear clearly due to Nathaniel's low voice and also because of the distance between them. "I'm sorry I couldn't catch what you said. My hearings a bit compromised due to my age."
Nathaniel stared at the man smiling warmly in front of him. However, he glanced at his wrist again. Because Hanes walked a bit forward to hear him more clearly, the number on his wrist also decreased. It now displayed 9.5 m. His sky-blue eyes glazed over the man.
He was happy. He was genuinely relieved when he saw that there was someone else in this forest. Someone who offers to help him. However, he cannot deny that he trusts the mysterious text more than any other humans he might meet. Because that mysterious text was the one that warned him when there was an incoming attack.
It also helped him find a source of food and water. It was as if it was guiding him. Nathaniel lowered his eyes and rolled down his sleeves. Covering the text written on his wrist. He then raised his face, and his lips formed a small smile. His eyes turning into small crescents. "Nothing. I was about to ask for your help Mr. Hanes. I'm not that skilled when tying a knot. Is it okay for you to direct me?"
'Although I'm being deceived. He still doesn't know that I'm already aware of his identity as one of Xael's pursuers. It's better to not rattle the snake yet. Besides I could get some important information from him.'
"Oh sure! You don't say, I'm one of the best knot tiers back in the village. I tell you young man, you shouldn't focus on studying magic and academics all day long. You should also consider learning practical things for survival or else you'll be like a weak chicken in the wild." The man pumped his chest as he let out a boisterous and confident laugh. Hanes rubbed his beard with a big prideful smile on his face.
'So there really is magic in this world. I have to learn more.' Nathaniel turned his back, hiding the thoughtful look on his face as he walked back towards the boulder again. His mind spun on how to squeeze out more information from the man.
"I agree, but the professors in the academy are strict. They always say it's a waste of time to learn practical survival skills. How do I start the knot Mr. Hanes?" Nathaniel bit the bullet of making an assumption that there are academies in this world. Shooting in the blind with that question. He couldn't help but think if his cover was blown because of what he asked.
'They're after Xael. And surely, they must've had this body's information. I'm still a bit safe if I act out of character from his pursuers since they'd think I'm just pretending or being overly cautious, but I have to be careful with the questions that I'd bring up.'
"Loop the running end of the rope counterclockwise around the pole or object that you are tying the rope to. The running end of the rope is the end that will be loose after you tie the knot." Hanes directed as he watched Nathaniel's back.
"Those old fogeys don't know a damn thing. They can say that because they're sheltered all their life. They haven't experienced living in the wild. I tell ya boy. There's various danger when it comes to hunting. Knowledge or magic can't solve everything. I'm telling you that there are a lot of magic immune monsters out here. Ha! what'd they do in that situation then? throw a book to ferocious predators that comes their way?" It could be seen that Hanes was reproachful to those privileged professors back in the academy.
This answer gave Nathaniel a sense of relief. Now he knows that there really is an academy here, with professors teaching not only academics but also magic. And from Hanes speech it seems like he views them to be looking down on commoners like him. "So, there are magic immune monsters in the wild. I've only read about them in textbooks."
"What step should I do after this?" Nathaniel asked. Planning to continue on fishing for information.
"Cross the running end over the part of the remaining length of rope to form an X." Hanes instructed as he observed the boy's movement. Nathaniel moved his hands and deliberately made mistakes to which Hanes guided him again. "Yes, that's just right. After that you slide the running end over the X and pull on both ends of the rope to tighten the knot."
As he fastened the rope, finishing the knot by pulling both ends tightly. His browse furrowed when he saw how dusts from the rope has gotten into his palms. He rubbed his thumb and index finger. curious to what the dust is. His gaze lingered from the dust and unto the rope. Noticing that something was amiss. With his back facing Hanes, He leaned closer to the white dust. He saw how it glistened under sunlight. It was something he was very familiar with. Something he'd seen all his life. His gaze then returned unto the rope. His face went gloomy as his lips formed a thin line.
'Haha, they really want me dead, don't they?'
"I'm very curious Mr. Hanes. If it's not rude, I'd like to ask. It seems like you have many experiences in facing magic-immune monsters. Have you ever defeated monsters like those?" Gaining back his calmness. Nathaniel probed. He perked up his ears waiting for answers.
Just from the fact that there are beasts and magic that existed in this place. It further solidifies his theory that he's not on earth anymore. It also eliminated the chance of him regressing or time travelling in the future. He's now living in someone else's body in another world or realm.
"Ha! I have defeated countless of those. I even killed a Kumagar with my bare hands! Not all commoners have enough resources to hone their magic. Just like me, even if I'm part of the lower echelons I'm much stronger than those weak chicken mages in the cities." The man prided himself, He even pulled up his shirt to show a grotesque scar from a fight that happened how many years ago.
"Wow! You actually defeated a Kumagar?!" Nathaniel exclaimed acting shock and amazed which further boosted the ego of the man on the other side of the river. While conversing earlier Nathaniel not only fished for information, but he also took special attention on the mysterious writings on his wrist.
He turned back and faced Hanes, his displaying just the right amount of amazement and naivety. Planning to test the man out, Nathaniel tilted his head and asked, glancing nervously in the surroundings. "Mr. Hanes, you seem pretty strong. I will be honest with you. In fact, My name's not Nathaniel. Can you please help me? I just discovered that some people are after my life, and I didn't know what to do so I escaped here in the forest."
He could see how the man's eyes flashed as he stared at him. "Really? You must've been scared hiding in the forest all this time. How'd you discover that some people are after your life?"
"Well, you see, I woke inside a wagon blind-folded and tied-up. With two people who claims to be Kyle and Ravin as my kidnapper. They said they were paid but then a monster came and attacked us . . ." Nathaniel narrated what happened when he woke up. He saw how Hanes' expression became complicated when he mentioned the Lampher beast.
"Good thing you escaped. That satchel, is that the one you got from them?" Hanes asked. His eyes glowing as he stared at the satchel on Nathaniel's shoulder. It was greed. Something Nathaniel was very familiar with.
Nathaniel lowered his eyes as he stared on the satchel, His eyes redirecting on his wrist where the sleeves was pushed up a bit by the satchel's edge. "Yes, there's also a pouch here which contains the downpayment of the employer. It was 500,000 Rehyas."
After saying the amount of money inside the satchel, Hanes' gaze grew much more intense. As if it could burn a hole through the bag and stare at the large amount of money hidden inside. "Don't worry boy. I'll help you get to safety. First throw your satchel over here, we don't want it getting wet. You can use the money to get back to your family, right?"
Nathaniel held back his sarcastic smile before continued acting. "It's okay, I can just put it over my head and cross the river. I can keep it dry that way."
"No!" Hanes paused and coughed after noticing his gaffe. "It might make it more difficult for you to cross the river with a weight on your head. It might even compromise your safety. Just throw it over with enough force and then you cross over. You got my point Xael?"
Nathaniel pressed his palm against his lips. Covering the smile that was forming on his face. "I got it Mr. Hanes. It really is risky for me to do it. However, I am curious about one thing."
"What is it?" Hanes can be seen furrowing his brows in impatience. His eyes disapprovingly staring at Nathaniel's face as if he couldn't bear to see the money far from his hands for any much longer. Nathaniel observed Hanes reaction.
"How did you know that my name is Xael?" Nathaniel finally asked.
"And here I thought you were asking about something serious." Hanes didn't hide his displeasure. It was as if Nathaniel was wasting his time with the question the boy raised. "Of course, I know your name, obviously it was provided by -"
Hanes finally stopped mid-sentence. Feeling that something is wrong. Noticing that he slipped up, he gazed at the boy in front of him. The bearded man's face turned gloomy knowing that the boy already knows about his identity. Nathaniel clearly placed a trap for him. He was actually led on his nose!
Amused by the enraged look on the bearded man's face. Nathaniel couldn't help but adding fuel to the fire. "Mr. Hanes, don't you remember? clearly, I only stated earlier that my name wasn't Nathaniel. I didn't say who exactly I was. So how did you know my name? Aren't you a bit stupid for slipping up?"
Nathaniel let out a chuckle as he watched the man seething in rage with what he said. Hanes could feel his blood boil. Seeing the brunette boy laughing at him. However, thinking of the current situation, clearly, he has the upper hand. Hanes slowly calmed down and asked the boy. "Since when did you start to suspect that I'm also one of the people who are after you?"
The wind blew causing Nathaniel's hair to sway along with the breeze, a small haughty smile hung on his lips. The young boy looked ethereal. His gaze as if he was standing on top of the world and looking at a mere ant. Hanes caught his breath; however, he could feel how his blood started boiling again when meeting Nathaniel's condescending gaze
"At first I didn't suspect a thing. It was the rope that you gave and the knot method you thought that gave me suspicion. First, I noticed white dust on the rope, in fact it wasn't dust. More like small crystalline structure. It was salt am I right? Of course I am right. Then the knot, you made me do the last step wrong. You said that I should slide the running end over the X and pull on both ends of the rope to tighten the knot. However, the last step of making a clove hitch knot wasn't that. It shouldn't be sliding the running end over, but it should be underneath the X." Nathaniel started elaborating his findings.
"It's true that there's salt on the rope but how could you become suspicious with just that? Also how do you know the steps on making a clove hitch knot?" Hanes couldn't help but admit that what he stated was true. He was just confused as to how the boy connected this to the conclusion of him being one of his pursuers.
"You see, when having the rope in long exposure with the saltwater, The salt crystalizes in between the fibers which causes it to weaken. Turning the rope more fragile and prone to easy tearing. Not to mention that your rope is made out of wooden fiber and long exposure of it to salt causes faster deterioration. As for the knot. You're just unlucky that the person you chose to trick has knowledge about it. I've read about knots in the miscellaneous section of the library back at the academy." Nathaniel fully explained.
'I was bullshitting about the knot though. My grandmother has a pet dog and usually she puts me through walking that dog daily. Whenever I want to rest to the park along the way our usual route, I learned to do that knot because it was commonly used to tie a dog leash against a post or a tree. But hey, I'm not the only one spouting bullshit here.'
"So what, you're not going to get out of this place alive either. I'm telling you; there's a whole lot of people coming to get you. Right now, there's only 20 people deployed but if they can't find you by today the number would double the next day." Hanes crossed his arms with a triumphant smile. He was gloating as he can already see the fate of Xael in their hands. And it would, by no means, be good.
Nathaniel beamed out a smile as he got the most useful information thus far. Turns out there was only 20 people out here. He glanced at his wrist. The number showed 20m, 19m, 18m, 17 m, consecutively and each passing second the number in his wrist dwindles until it reached 13 m. He raised his gaze as he took a step back.
Seeing how Nathaniel took a step back. Hasen took its meaning as him being frightened with what he said. Feeling smug, his grin widened further and planned to ridicule the boy much further. "What, feeling frightened now? I tell you, give me the bag in your hands and I'll consider giving you a quick death."
Unbeknownst to him a large figure was approaching quietly behind him. Nathaniel continuously stepped back until he was shrouded with the tree's shadows, his figure slowly blending in the shades. Nathaniel let out a big toothy grin.
"If I were you, I'd be concerned of my own safety first. Looks like you're out of luck this time Mr. Hasen. Well then until we meet again" His eyes turned crescent due to his smile, while waving his hand he started running deep into the woods again. Not for long, he heard a loud scream far behind him and the sound of metals clanging, signaling the start of a battle. On his wrist shows the mysterious text.
[Escape The Pursuers Who Are After Xael's Life]
[ 31 m]
[Survive the Lampher Beasts Attack]
[31 m]